Iran
Experts Believe Iran Conflict Is Less Likely
James Risen, New York Times – April 30, 2012
After a winter of alarm over the possibility that a military conflict over the Iranian nuclear program might be imminent, American officials and outside analysts now believe that the chances of war in the near future have significantly decreased.
U.S. signals major shift on Iran nuclear program
Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times – April 27, 2012
In what would be a significant concession, Obama administration officials say they could support allowing Iran to maintain a crucial element of its disputed nuclear program if Tehran took other major steps to curb its ability to develop a nuclear bomb.
Iran: IAEA Talks For May 13-14 In Vienna
Associated Press – April 28, 2012
A new round of talks between Tehran and the U.N.’s nuclear agency will be held in Vienna on May 13-14, Iran’s state TV reported Saturday in a signal of possible progress after separate negotiations resumed with world powers over the country’s controversial nuclear program.
Israel ex-spy warns against “messianic” war on Iran
Dan Williams, Reuters – April 28, 2012
A former Israeli spymaster has branded the country’s leaders as “messianic” and unfit to tackle the Iranian nuclear program, in the strongest criticism from a security veteran of threats to launch a preemptive war.
United States
Obama’s nuclear plan tangled in election politics
Bryan Bender, The Boston Globe – April 30, 2012
A review of President Obama’s promised plan to substantially reduce America’s nuclear arsenal is nearing completion, triggering a new phase of the deliberations: how to deal with the political consequences and whether the unveiling should wait until after the November election.
South Asia
U.S. Drone Strike Underlines Clash of Interests in Pakistan
Declan Walsh and Ismail Khan, New York Times – April 29, 2012
An American drone strike killed three suspected militants in Pakistan’s tribal belt on Sunday, an official said, in the first such attack since the country’s Parliament demanded an end to those missions just over two weeks ago.
